There have been many wars throughout human history, fought mostly for one side of the story wanting to conquer the other. They are always messy affairs, and a tragic time all around. For some people, though, it meant their whole reason for being alive, and it showed.
What we’ve gathered here today are just some of the most feared fighters in history, their fighting styles, and how their units performed. It’s scary to imagine what their military prowess would translate to our modern world, but we have enough wars to worry about hypothetical ones.
The Spartans of Ancient Greece
Known for their brutal training and discipline, the Spartans were terrifying beyond measure. Their reputation for being nearly invincible was cemented after legendary stands in battles like Thermopylae and Plataea, striking fear across ancient Greece.
Viking Berserkers
Imagine facing a warrior who worked themselves into a trance-like fury before the fighting even started. These elite Norse fighters were said to be immune to pain and fought with a terrifying, wild abandon that unnerved even seasoned soldiers. The horns on their helmets is a myth, though.
Mongol Horse Archers
These warriors practically lived on horseback, mastering the composite bow from childhood. Their unmatched mobility allowed them to strike with devastating speed and accuracy, helping to forge one of the largest empires the world has ever seen.
Aztec Jaguar Warriors
These elite Aztec soldiers turned the act of fighting into a full blown performance. Dressed in the skins and helmets of jaguars, they sought to embody the animal’s power, creating a psychological weapon that was almost as effective as their actual ones.
Apache Warriors of North America
Masters of guerrilla warfare and survival, the Apache fiercely defended their lands against invaders for centuries. Their tactics, used in conflicts from 1849 to 1924, are still studied at military academies like West Point as models of asymmetrical warfare.
The Zulu Impi of Southern Africa
Perfected under King Shaka, the Zulu impi was a disciplined and overwhelming force. During the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879, a force of 20,000 warriors completely annihilated a (at the time) modern British column at the famous Battle of Isandlwana.
The Rajput Warriors of India
Known for their chivalry and unbreakable pride, the Rajput princes of India fiercely resisted invasions for centuries. One leader, Rana Sanga, went into battle with 80 separate wounds and was missing an eye, an arm, and a leg. So technically a pirate.
The Maori of New Zealand
Considered by the British to be among the deadliest warriors they ever faced, the Maori of New Zealand had a fierce fighting culture. Their legacy of courage continued into modern times with the famed 28th Māori Battalion in WWII.
The Comanche of the Great Plains
Known as some of the finest light cavalry in the world, the Comanche dominated the Southern Plains. Their raids were so feared that a full moon became known as a ‘Comanche Moon,’ a sign that an attack was coming.
The Cossacks of the Steppes
Napoleon Bonaparte himself once called the Cossacks “the best light troops among all that exist.” These fiercely independent horsemen from the steppes of Eastern Europe served as border guards, adventurers, and a formidable cavalry force for centuries.
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